Salix cinerea is a is a small tree that can reach heights of about 33 ft (10 m) tall. It is generally branched from the base but can form a single trunk. It usually has a broad, rounded to flattened crown. The bark is dark grey-brown and often becomes fissured with age.
Foliage
The leaves are shiny on the upper surface, with soft grey hairs on the underside. The leaves are usually obovate or broadly oblanceolate, 0.8-3.5 in (2-9 cm) long by 0.4-1.2 in (1-3 cm) wide.
Flowers
The flower are cylindrical catkins which appear before the leaves in spring. They are about 0.8-1.2 in (2-3 cm) long by 0.2-0.4 in (0.6-1 cm) wide with female catkins longer and narrower than male catkins.
Fruit
The fruits are small capsules with two valves, containing many tiny seeds.
Ecological Threat
S. cinerea readily invades riparian habits, brackish wetlands on coastland, wet forests, alpine bogs, as well as disturbed and undisturbed land on national park land and elsewhere. S. cinerea can grow on a wide range of soils. It can tolerate permanent water logging and a pH down to 3.5.